CULLMAN, Ala. – The Dripping Springs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) met last Sunday for their first meeting of the new year. The program about Signers of the Constitution was presented by the Arkadelphia Society of the Children of the American Revolution as they celebrated the 40th birthday of the society. Rhonda Van Zandt was presented a gift in appreciation of her longtime work with the CAR.
The ringing of bells accompanied the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, so to mark the anniversary of the signing, bells are rung every year to mark the occasion. After the program, chapter members and guests were given bells and everyone rang the bells together.
Our United States Constitution is a remarkable document. At 4,543 words, it is the shortest and oldest existing constitution in the world. It begins with a Preamble which states the purpose of the Constitution. The Constitution itself has seven articles that establish the 3 branches of government and the powers of each. There are 27 amendments to the Constitution, of which the Bill of Rights is contained in the first 10 amendments.
In 1955, DAR began a project to promote the observance of the U.S. Constitution with a memorial week beginning on the anniversary of the signing of this document Sept. 17. Constitution Week was officially declared by President Eisenhower on Aug. 2, 1956.
The aims of the Constitution Week celebration are to:
- Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution
- Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life
- Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787
